Great Rockers in Home Remodeling - Pt. 3

We continue our salute to great rockers who have been inspired by remodeling or decorating their homes.

Today's Rocker: Mick Jagger, of the Rolling Stones


It was the late 60's, and Jagger was painting the living room of his flat in London. His friends had moved all the furniture into the bedroom and taken the pictures off the walls, but Mick returned from the paint store empty-handed. The problem, Jagger explained to his buddies, was that there were just too many colors to choose from. Seafoam green, peach, Prussian blue - the musician was simply overwhelmed by the choices. His buddies sympathized, but they all had to get back to work the next day. If Mick didn't make a choice soon, all their efforts would be for naught.

Frustrated, Jagger threw his arms up in the air and shouted that they should just "paint it black." His friends laughed, but Mick stood for a moment thinking. Suddenly, he grabbed a pen and started writing on the bare walls:

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black ...

As he thought more and more about the process of picking paint colors, the lyrics seemed to flow from Jagger as if he were channeling them from the Gods.

I wanna see it painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal...

Jagger may not have painted his living room that day, but he ended up writing one of the greatest rock and roll songs ever. And it might not have happened if he hadn't decided to do a little decorating. Rock on, home decor! Rock on.